Surfers look out at the waves in Ditch Plains, just west of Montauk. (Rebecca Cooney/Newsday)

Photo: Rebecca Cooney

Surfers look out at the waves in Ditch Plains, just west of...

Image 2 of 4

Montauk Lighthouse, the first lighthouse in New York State, commissioned by President George Washington. (Lorina Capitulo/Newsday)

Photo: Lorina Capitulo

Montauk Lighthouse, the first lighthouse in New York State,...

Image 3 of 4

Outside of Nick & Toni's restaurant in East Hampton, N.Y., May 18, 2013. Bonnie Munshin, the general manager at Nick & Toni's, has for 21 years wrangled celebrities and locals while working the front of the house at the restaurant. (Deidre Schoo/The New York Times) ORG XMIT: MER2014061312164324

Photo: DEIDRE SCHOO

Outside of Nick & Toni's restaurant in East Hampton, N.Y., May...

Image 4 of 4

Clockwise from top right: Jean Dubuffet's "Landscape With Dog," Dubuffet's "Landscape With Walker Greeting the Public," and Alfonso Ossorio's OCrucifix: Seek & Ye Shall Find" on display in "Angels, Demons, and Savages: Pollock, Ossorio, DubuffetO exhibition at the Parish Art Museum, in Water Mill, N.Y., July 29, 2013. The exhibition pivots around the artist and collector Alfonso Ossorio, a go-between Jackson Pollock and Dubuffet, who is fascinating in his own right. (Gordon M. Grant/The New York Times) ORG XMIT: MER2014061312144710

Visitors flock to the South Fork of Long Island for the world-class beaches and A-list nightspots. But there's more to the Hamptons than sand and celebrities. Take a break from sunbathing and stargazing and you'll find history, art, nature and plenty of great food on the East End.

1. Main Beach, East Hampton: First on Forbes magazine's list of the 10 Top Beaches in America, Main Beach has it all: Lifeguards, a snack bar, supermodels and movie stars parading up and down in the surf. Bike from the village or take a free shuttle from Main Street to avoid hefty parking fees. 101 Ocean Ave., East Hampton. easthamptonvillage.org

2. Ditch Plains, Montauk: Famous for its long breaks, this beach at the very tip of Long Island is a destination for surfers the world over. For non-surfers, there is a designated swimming area with lifeguards. Stroll west along the beach and gaze up at the dramatic cliffs that form Rheinstein Estate Park. Ditch Plains Road, Montauk.

3. Montauk Point Lighthouse: The oldest lighthouse in New York state was commissioned by the Second Congress under George Washington in 1792 and is still aiding navigation more than 200 years later. Climb to the top, tour the ground-floor museum and explore the grounds and trails of adjacent Camp Hero, a decommissioned military installation recently converted to a state park. Open daily, May to October, and weekends in March, April and November. Admission $9, children $4. 2000 Montauk Highway, Montauk. 1-888-MTK-POINT, montauklighthouse.com

More Information

4. Pollock-Krasner House: Take a culture break and visit the studio where Jackson Pollock created masterpieces, including ''Autumn Rhythm'' and ''Convergence,'' and see the paint drippings that spilled over the edges of his canvases onto the floor. The walls exhibit traces of wife Lee Krasner's work. Both painters' materials and tools are on display, along with photos. Open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, May-October. Admission $5, children under 12 free. 830 Springs-Fireplace Road, East Hampton. 631-324-4929, pkhouse.org

5. Parrish Art Museum: The Parrish's new building opened in 2012 to great acclaim. Its award-winning design references the vernacular architecture of the East End — the building resembles a modernist potato barn. Seven skylit galleries display a rotating selection of works from the permanent collection by influential East End artists, including Fairfield Porter, Roy Lichtenstein, William de Kooning and Chuck Close. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Tuesdays. Admission $10, under 18 free. 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill. 631-283-2118, parrishart.org

6. Gin Lane and Georgica: To see how the 0.001 percent live, peek through the hedges of the grand estates on Gin Lane in Southampton and along Georgica Pond in East Hampton. Built for new-money types who were unwelcome in Newport in the 1880s, Gin Lane "cottages" now house the likes of Nine West shoe mogul Vince Camuto and Dorothy Lichtenstein, widow of pop artist Roy Lichtenstein. The western shore of Georgica is the site of the Georgica Association, a private community of homes established in 1892. Owners now include Steven Spielberg and Martha Stewart.

7. Nick & Toni's: This Hamptons hot spot celebrated its 25th anniversary last summer and is still the place to see and be seen. Reserve a table well in advance to enjoy Chef Joe Realmuto's rustic Mediterranean cooking while rubbing elbows with celebrities, including Jimmy Fallon, Sting and the Clintons. 136 N. Main St., East Hampton. 631-324-3550, nickandtonis.com

8. Shopping: No trip to the Hamptons would be complete without a dose of retail therapy. Villages have their specialties: Luxury goods from London Jewelers and Ralph Lauren on Main Street in East Hampton; preppy attire from Brooks Brothers and Vineyard Vines on Jobs Lane in Southampton; antiques and home design shops in Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor and Amagansett.

9. Ferry to Shelter Island: Take a quick and picturesque hop across Peconic Bay to tranquil Shelter Island. Enjoy sunset from the boat, and then dinner at 18 Bay or the Vine Street Cafe before returning to your Hamptons accommodations. But watch the clock — the last ferry to the mainland is 1:45 a.m. in season. 399 Ferry Road, North Haven. Round-trip per vehicle, $17. (631) 749-1200, southferry.com

10. Ruschmeyer's: The Hamptons nightlife scene has moved east in the last few years, and the most popular clubs are now in Montauk. This hotel, a former summer camp with cabin-themed decor, attracts evening crowds with live music, D.J.s, and retro fun including Ping-Pong tables, bingo nights and an outdoor bar called the Blackwell Rum Shack. 161 Second House Road, Montauk. (631) 668-2877, http://kingandgrove.com/montauk-hotels/ruschmeyers